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Ardea cinerea
| Size | 90â98 cm UK's tallest common bird â about the height of a 10-year-old child |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1â2 kg About the weight of a bag of sugar |
| Lifespan | 5 years |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Sexes look identical |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes, ponds, estuaries, coastal wetlands â any water with fish |
| Best time | Year-round |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
Grey Herons can stand motionless for hours waiting for fish, then strike with a spear-like beak faster than the human eye can follow
Grey Herons can stand motionless for hours waiting for fish, then strike with a spear-like beak faster than the human eye can follow
More for experts
Their S-shaped neck is a spring-loaded strike mechanism â they retract it in flight to balance their heavy head, unlike storks or cranes which fly with necks extended
Often confused with
Crane (flies with neck extended, much rarer), Purple Heron (darker, more slender â rare visitor)
Crane (flies with neck extended, much rarer), Purple Heron (darker, more slender â rare visitor)